Messaging system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for a for-fee messaging and transaction service to be conducted over a network, such as the Internet. The disclosed system and method makes it possible to transmit email, files, documents and other information of value to a recipient, wherein the recipient only has access to the respective information after payment has been received by a server.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for delivering a message between a sender and a recipient over a network, comprising the steps of: 
 the sender transmitting a message request to a server,    the server comparing payment authorization for transmission of the message associated with the message request to the recipient, and    the server transmitting the message to the recipient if payment is authorized.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing payment authorization includes comparing metadata in the message request with registration information at the server.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the registration information is stored in a database associated with the server.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the server transmits the message if at least one of the sender and recipient is registered with the server and has authorized payment for transmitting the message.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein if payment is not authorized, at least one of the sender and recipient is offered to register with the server and open an account for payment authorization.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server holds the message if payment is not authorized.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if payment is not authorized, the server holds the message for a predetermined time before purging the message.  
     
     
         8 . A server for managing message delivery over a network after payment of a transaction fee, comprising: 
 an input module adapted to identify at least metadata of the message,    a control module that identifies registration information of a sender or recipient of the message,    an administration module that links the registration information with payment information of at least one of the sender and recipient,    a storage device for storing the message at least temporarily before a payment is authorized, and    a network connection for communication with the sender and recipient.    
     
     
         9 . The server of  claim 8 , wherein the network connection is a connection with the Internet, an intranet, a LAN or a WAN.  
     
     
         10 . The server of  claim 8 , wherein the storage device further stores at least one of the registration information and payment information.  
     
     
         11 . The server of  claim 8 , wherein the storage device stores metadata of the message separate from payload data of the message.  
     
     
         12 . A message transaction system for delivering a message over a network after payment of a transaction fee, comprising 
 a server;    a first message client connected to the server via the network, said first message client sending the message;    a second message client connected to the server via the network, said second message client being an intended recipient of the message;    the server comprising    an input module adapted to identify at least metadata of the message,    a control module that identifies registration information of at least one of the first and second clients,    an administration module that links the registration information with payment information of the at least one first and second clients, and    a storage device for storing the message at least temporarily before a payment is authorized based on said registration information and payment information.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the payment is authorized based on the metadata in the message.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the server transmits the message to the second message client if at least one of the first and second message clients is registered with the server and has authorized payment for transmitting the message.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the network is selected from the group consisting of the Internet, an intranet, a LAN or a WAN.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the message is selected from the group consisting of email, data files, audio files, and image files.